Madam, - In August 2003 the Department of the Environment and Local Government and Meath County Council refused permission for the construction of a golf course in the Tara Skryne valley. From a letter from the Department to Meath County Council in July 2003, which recommends refusal of permission, I quote: "The Hill of Tara upon which the remains of over 30 monuments are visible represents one of the nation's most important national monuments and is of international significance".
The letter goes on to say: "Significant to the experience and enjoyment of the Hill of Tara are the uninterrupted views of a predominantly rural landscape, which enhance the symbolic and ceremonial nature of the archaeological landscape . . . the views to and from the Hill of Tara and the settlement at Screen [ sic] are integral to the appreciation of both sites . . . archaeological research is ongoing on the Hill of Tara and environs and with further research, more and more sites are identified confirming that this area was for centuries the focus of ceremonial and ritual activity".
On July 22nd, 2003, Meath County Council wrote to the applicant, giving one of two reasons for refusal as follows:
"It is an objective of Section 2.8.4 of the 2001 County Development Plan to protect the Hill of Tara and Skreen from 'visually damaging development or proposals that would cumulatively erode landscape quality' and Section 3.6.3 of the Plan states that the area is 'extremely sensitive to all categories of development insofar as it would detract from the character, appearance and interpretive experience of the region'. It is considered that the proposed development, which would be visible from, and in the direct line-of-sight between, the important historic heritage and archaeological sites of the Hills of Tara and Skreen, the views from both are protected in the 2001 Plan and on which are located a number of protected structures would, by reason of scale and nature, be visually intrusive in this sensitive landscape, would adversely impact on the locational context of the protected structures and views which are listed for protection in the 2001 Plan and would detract from the character, experience and interpretative experience of the region.
"It is considered, therefore, that the proposed development would be contrary to specific policies and objectives of the 2001 County Development Plan and contrary to the proper planning and development of the area."
Both of these letters bear the date stamp of an Bord Pleanála for August 18th, 2003. Despite all of this, the same board granted approval, only one month later, on August 25th, 2003, for the M3 tolled motorway to desecrate the same landscape.
As if these double standards were not enough, we now have to suffer the shameful conduct of some local politicians, and others, disparaging those who retain a genuine regard for our environment and heritage. - Yours, etc.,
TOMMY HAMILL, (Member of Tara Heritage Protection Group), Ballinter, Co Meath.